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happily_undignified's reviews
427 reviews
Old Crimes and Other Stories by Jill McCorkle
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Old Crimes: and other Stories by Jill McCorkle is a poignant collection of short stories with a vintage feel that hearkens back to a simpler time when people and relationships were anything but simple. Each story was told with a raw tone that pulled me in and made me feel like I was listening to a friends recollection of the past. My favorite of the stories was The Lineman. It made me think of the men in my family who aren't especially good at communication but who still love and lead full lives.
How To Fake It With A Fae by Amy Boyles
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
"What makes you happy?"
"What's that have to do with anything?"
He runs his finger along the rim of the glass. "Magic isn't something you can touch, and often the only way to get at it is to free yourself, to be who you were meant to be. That means feeling something primal, like joy."
Who I was meant to be? Who is that person? "I don't know who I'm supposed to be, but what makes me happy? That's easy. Books."
Amy Boyles, How To Fake It With a Fae
How To Fake It With a Fae by Amy Boyles is a fun fae fantasy that I really enjoyed. The witch versus fae battle was interesting and I loved how the magical systems worked, especially in the enchanted bookstore. Addie was immediately likable as a character and I completely identified with her love of books, especially pride and prejudice.Feylin Is the perfect Fae Prince and seemed quite aloof and unapproachable at first. Thankfully he showed a software side and it was adorable. Watching him and Addie try to figure out each other. I loved the family dynamics as well. And especially getting to know Addie's sisters. I think it's going to be so much fun to see the rest of the Thornerose women get hitched.. the book had a nice twist at the end and I really didn't expect Nana to be so interesting!
"What's that have to do with anything?"
He runs his finger along the rim of the glass. "Magic isn't something you can touch, and often the only way to get at it is to free yourself, to be who you were meant to be. That means feeling something primal, like joy."
Who I was meant to be? Who is that person? "I don't know who I'm supposed to be, but what makes me happy? That's easy. Books."
Amy Boyles, How To Fake It With a Fae
How To Fake It With a Fae by Amy Boyles is a fun fae fantasy that I really enjoyed. The witch versus fae battle was interesting and I loved how the magical systems worked, especially in the enchanted bookstore. Addie was immediately likable as a character and I completely identified with her love of books, especially pride and prejudice.Feylin Is the perfect Fae Prince and seemed quite aloof and unapproachable at first. Thankfully he showed a software side and it was adorable. Watching him and Addie try to figure out each other. I loved the family dynamics as well. And especially getting to know Addie's sisters. I think it's going to be so much fun to see the rest of the Thornerose women get hitched.. the book had a nice twist at the end and I really didn't expect Nana to be so interesting!
The Marie Laveau Voodoo Grimoire: Rituals, Recipes, and Spells for Healing, Protection, Beauty, Love, and More by Denise Alvarado
4.0
The Marie Laveau Voodoo Grimoire by Denise Alvarado is such a detailed, immersive read. I really enjoyed the audiobook and I look forward to getting a hardcopy to reread. The rich history of the Voodoo queen was amazing and I loved how much research the author put into all aspects of the book. I really loved hearing the stories about Marie's legacy and her daily life and beliefs. The practical aspects of the book and the witchy tips are very useful and interesting as well. I like that everything is set out for easy use and research. I think this book is a great addition for any one interested in Voodoo history or practices.
Percy And Joe Battle the Beast of Barmiston Hall by W.H. Lockwood
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
5.0
“You’re as ridiculous as you are beautiful.”⠀
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W. H. Lockwood, Percy and Joe Battle the Beast of Barmiston Hall⠀
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Percy and Joe Battle the Beast of Barmiston Hall by W.H. Lockwood has all the banter and banging the series is famous for, with a bit of a darker touch. As the dynamic duo try to unravel the web of danger and destruction left behind by Cleo, they travel to the small village of Twatt to research the murderous Barmiston Hall in person. The story is full of intriguing characters, including a sentient witch's head, and a bit more backstory on Percy. The haunted mansion is so eerie and definitely gives this book a darker vibe. The ending was shocking and I can't wait to see what's next for Percy and Joe!⠀
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W. H. Lockwood, Percy and Joe Battle the Beast of Barmiston Hall⠀
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Percy and Joe Battle the Beast of Barmiston Hall by W.H. Lockwood has all the banter and banging the series is famous for, with a bit of a darker touch. As the dynamic duo try to unravel the web of danger and destruction left behind by Cleo, they travel to the small village of Twatt to research the murderous Barmiston Hall in person. The story is full of intriguing characters, including a sentient witch's head, and a bit more backstory on Percy. The haunted mansion is so eerie and definitely gives this book a darker vibe. The ending was shocking and I can't wait to see what's next for Percy and Joe!⠀
The Exvangelicals: Loving, Living, and Leaving the White Evangelical Church by Sarah McCammon
5.0
The Exvangelicals by Sarah McCammon was a wonderful read that really put a lot of the trauma and confusion I have had regarding my church upbringing into words. I completely related to the author and those who she interviewed with their history growing up in the evangelical church. The shared experiences and how each person is processing their departure from the evangelical church is so interesting and inspiring to me. I loved this book and I think it's an important read for those people who are searching for a new and better way to approach their relationship with God.
A House of Fangs & Deceit by Alex Frost
dark
fast-paced
5.0
“If I see something I want, I’m going to take it.”⠀
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Alex Frost, A House of Fangs & Deceit ⠀
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A House of Fangs & Deceit by Alex Frost is a vampy, spicy, dark fantasy perfect for fans of True Blood, Covet, or The Beautiful. This new release was so much fun to read and I adore Samara, the vampire heir with an insatiable appetite for...many things. She's driven, smart, sexy, and caring but also so freaking brave and fierce. The story mainly follows her but also has several other pov and I really liked getting to know each of the other characters. My favorite so far is Roth, with their curious wit and obsessive love of the books they are so protective of. All of the characters seem scrumptious however and there are plenty to choose from for your reading pleasure!
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Alex Frost, A House of Fangs & Deceit ⠀
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A House of Fangs & Deceit by Alex Frost is a vampy, spicy, dark fantasy perfect for fans of True Blood, Covet, or The Beautiful. This new release was so much fun to read and I adore Samara, the vampire heir with an insatiable appetite for...many things. She's driven, smart, sexy, and caring but also so freaking brave and fierce. The story mainly follows her but also has several other pov and I really liked getting to know each of the other characters. My favorite so far is Roth, with their curious wit and obsessive love of the books they are so protective of. All of the characters seem scrumptious however and there are plenty to choose from for your reading pleasure!
Rise of the Cinder Fae by Whitney Dean
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"No spell or magic could ever outweigh cruelty. The spell might fade. But the truth never will."⠀
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Whitney Dean, Rise of the Cinder Fae ⠀
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Rise of the Cinder Fae was exactly what I expected from Whitney! It was full of exciting romance and royal intrigue with a generous helping of witty banter and epic worldbuilding. I would love to have seen the pumpkin bridge in person! I loved Elora and Finnian so much! They have the best fights....and makeups and I really enjoyed the sweet moments when they considered one another and showed how much they were falling for each other. Irina and Honora captured my heart from their introduction and I also loved the Cinder Fae, even the grumpy ones. Jasper and Regina were perfectly despicable and can go suck on a rotten pumpkin! I recommend this fantasy romance to anyone who likes their fairytales on the spicy side.
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Whitney Dean, Rise of the Cinder Fae ⠀
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Rise of the Cinder Fae was exactly what I expected from Whitney! It was full of exciting romance and royal intrigue with a generous helping of witty banter and epic worldbuilding. I would love to have seen the pumpkin bridge in person! I loved Elora and Finnian so much! They have the best fights....and makeups and I really enjoyed the sweet moments when they considered one another and showed how much they were falling for each other. Irina and Honora captured my heart from their introduction and I also loved the Cinder Fae, even the grumpy ones. Jasper and Regina were perfectly despicable and can go suck on a rotten pumpkin! I recommend this fantasy romance to anyone who likes their fairytales on the spicy side.